coordination between DITA TCs?

I was and remain fairly uneasy about the creation of two separate
OASIS Technical Committees both focused on aspects of DITA.  My concern is
that over time differences in the goals and approaches of the two TCs may
develop and, if such conflicts aren’t identified and resolved, this could
confuse the community of DITA users.

 

After the DITA TC call last Tuesday I spoke with Mary on the
phone about my concerns. During our conversation she raised the possibility of
using an OASIS Member Section which the two TCs could join as a way to provide
coordination and resolve any conflicts that may arise between the TCs.  

 

A bit later Mary also raised the possibility of reviving the
OASIS “Joint Committee” as a way of providing coordination. The
Joint Committee was part of the OASIS TC process in the past, but was removed
in favor of Member Sections. A Joint Committee may have somewhat less overhead
than a Member Section. 

 

And of course ad hoc voluntary coordination/liaison between
the two TCs through overlapping membership probably has even less overhead.

 

I think Don would like to make some progress on other agenda
items during next Tuesday’s DITA TC call, but we can probably discuss ways
to provide coordination between independent TCs during our call the week after
next and see if there is interest in pursuing either a Member Section or a
Joint Committee.

 

If you want to read up on the rules for Member Sections,
see:

 

            http://www.oasis-open.org/who/ms_policy.php

 

And the old rules for Joint Committees are available here:

 

http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/process_2006.08.02.php#2.16

 

 

  -Jeff